Now on the run from the corporation that turned him into a lab experiment, Miles finds himself in a fight for his life as he unravels the complicated relationships he shares with ex-boyfriend Adam, whom he still loves, and wife Ana, whose allegiance he cannot trust.

Meanwhile, nineteen-year-old Bethany Carter is on the run from her past and present. Having escaped the same institution that trapped Miles, she must find a way to safely manage the schizophrenia that triggers her time travel while navigating unpredictable bouts of paranoia.

As Miles’ and Bethany’s lives become more intertwined, Dr. Branagan, the man who made their lives a living hell at Longleaf Retreat, will stop at nothing to continue his research, even if it means destroying his subjects in the process.

EXCERPT

“We just want our baby to come home.”

Mrs. Carter held up a framed photograph of Bethany. It was tough to make out on Sarah and Ben’s tiny TV, but it looked as if it had been taken at Longleaf.

“God, that picture is at least three years old,” Bethany said.

“She probably was too worried to think about finding a current one,” Michaela said, smiling optimistically.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s real broken up about it.” Bethany picked up the remote and switched off the TV. “She hasn’t been to see me in the last year. Nothing would make her happier than if I actually disappeared.”

“You don’t mean that,” Michaela said.

Bethany raised an eyebrow in challenge.

“Fine. Let’s say she isn’t actually worried. Then why go on TV and beg you to return?”

“I’d bet ten bucks Branagan’s behind it.” Bethany stretched out on the couch with her head in Michaela’s lap. “Look, I know you want to see the best in everyone, but when it comes to my life, I’ve just learned to expect the worst.”

Michaela’s fingers trailed lightly through Bethany’s hair. “That’s so sad, though. I hate to think anyone treats you like that.”

Picking at her fingernails, Bethany shrugged. “Just how it is.” She’d been living in a psychiatric facility since she was twelve. Everything in her life had been downhill from there. She had to ask a random nurse for a maxi pad when she got her first period. Dr. Branagan wanted to run tests to see if her hormones had any effect on her episodes. Her mother told her to stop whining and just deal with it. Bethany had learned long ago she was on her own and better off for it. It wasn’t until Miles came along that she’d dared to hope things could change.

Michaela played with Bethany’s hair, first twirling a strand around her fingers and then massaging her scalp.

Bethany hummed and said, “That feels good.”

Michaela used her fingers to comb out the tangles and just as Bethany began to doze off asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask you about your girlfriend.”

Bethany’s eyes snapped open. “Uh, okay.”

“Well, don’t you think this would bother her?” Michaela gestured between the two of them.

Bethany knew what it looked like. They’d been joined at the hip since leaving Longleaf, and now, with Bethany’s head in her lap, their relationship had obviously progressed beyond simple friendship.

Bethany sat up and flipped her messy hair over one shoulder. “You know I time-travel, right?”

With her mouth drawn into a firm line, Michaela looked confused. Even so, she nodded.

“Well…” Bethany raised her brows, hoping Michaela would understand without her having to spell it out.

Michaela’s eyes opened wide, and the color drained from her face. Her spattering of freckles stood out starkly against her milky skin. “Oh.” The blood returned to her face in a rush, flushing her cheeks and nose a bright pink. “Oh,” she said again.

Bethany turned to face her, bent a knee and crossed her legs under herself. “You okay?”

Michaela’s blush reached her neck, and she barely contained her smile. She nodded, and her wavy auburn hair fell in her face. Bethany brushed it away from her cheek and tucked as much as she could behind Michaela’s ear.

Michaela threaded her fingers through Bethany’s and ran her thumb across the back of her hand. “So, should we make it official?” she whispered. Her eyes trailed slowly up to meet Bethany’s gaze.

Bethany grinned. “Seriously?” Her heart beat double-time.

“I know there’s an age difference, but I’m only a few years older and, since it’s already happened…” She trailed off.

Though Bethany knew she and Michaela would eventually become a couple, she wasn’t prepared for how it would feel. The moment their lips touched, Bethany felt centered in a way she hadn’t since she’d starting having psychotic episodes. The voices faded into a buzz of background noise, and for once she knew she could trust someone.

She hoped the feeling would last.

Carrie Pack

About Carrie

Carrie Pack is an author of books in multiple genres, including Designs on You (2014), In the Present Tense (2016) and Grrrls on the Side (2017). She is a recipient of a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Bronze for In the Present Tense and has been named a finalist for an INDIES Award and a Bisexual Book Award for Grrrls on the Side. She lives in Florida.